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This thesis describes a programme of research work which investigated the need for and the development of a novel decision support tool for sustainable decision making in urban environments. The Sustainable City Visualisation Tool (S-City VT) uses a sub-modelling approach coupled with 3D visualisation to support sustainable decision making and has been designed to engage non-expert and expert stakeholder regardless of background or experience in the decision making process. The programme of work describes the rationale, the development and the effectiveness testing of S-City VT using Dundee Central Waterfront as a case study. An evaluation of existing decision support tools (DSTs) for sustainability is presented and reasons for the lack of uptake and use of these tools is identified. Techniques from DSTs used in other disciplines are also evaluated and those that can be applied effectively in decision making for sustainable urban design are identified. Based on this review of existing tools and techniques a prototype, interactive simulation and visualisation decision support tool, is created. The novel decision support tool combines sustainability indicator modelling, multi-criteria analysis, scenario design and 3D visualisation in an aim to address the identified wealmesses in existing tools and engage a wider range of stakeholders than is possible using existing sustainability assessment tools. The performance of the tool and the underlying visualisation techniques are then evaluated for effectiveness and usability with different stakeholder groups, including local authorities and the general public. Finally conclusions are drawn regarding how the project aims are addressed by the S-City VT tool.

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In Britain (and beyond), participation within community development is currently being heralded as the solution to rural problems. The EU's LEADER programme embodies this trend. Participation is seen as a good in and of itself, almost irrespective of traditional indicators such as job creation. The view of participation adhered to within rural policy discourses assume homogeneous communities, with each of which all members participate equally, share common goals for development and, subsequently, all members benefit equally. Further, within such discourses, the role of development agencies in shaping such processes remains unproblematised. However, this thesis argues, through in-depth qualitative research within selected LEADER groups in Wales, that it is becoming increasingly apparent that all enrolment efforts are achieving only limited and selective participation. People participate in these initiatives for different reasons and to different degrees and, indeed, their participatory practices and experiences are influenced greatly by their personal characteristics, circumstances and other community activities. Beyond the contextual characteristics of the individual and the wider community, with the power relations that saturate both, participation is also greatly shaped by the development agencies themselves (in this case LEADER groups). Indeed, the way in which a community is defined, and to some extent (re)created, is dependent upon the guidelines established by the LEADER group, as is the community's subsequent development path. What emerges through this thesis is a picture of a participatory system that is inherently political, operating within heterogeneous communities within which the (unequal) power relations of the whole of society are embedded. As such, the benefits derived from enrolling participants in these grassroots initiatives are limited to further the empowerment of those already in a dominant social position, both locally and regionally.